Cool Roof Systems

GAF Timberline AS II Cool, CertainTeed Landmark Solaris, Owens Corning Duration Cool, and similar lines are architectural laminate shingles with reflective granules. They look like standard architectural shingles from the street but reflect significantly more solar energy than traditional dark shingles.

Energy Star-qualified reflective shingles meet steep-slope criteria: initial SR ≥ 0.25 and aged SR ≥ 0.15 with thermal emittance ≥ 0.75. Some premium products substantially exceed these thresholds — GAF Timberline AS II Cool in lighter colors approaches SR 0.4.

Color matters. Reflective granules are available in lighter colors (Cool Antique Slate, Cool Pewter Gray, Cool Weathered Wood) — dark colors like black or dark brown can't physically achieve the SR levels needed for Energy Star qualification. Homeowners who want a dark-colored roof can't get full reflective performance.

Reflective shingles cost about 10-20% premium over standard architectural shingles of the same brand. The energy savings recover the premium in 5-12 years on cooling-dominated NJ buildings.

Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C). Reflective shingles qualifying for Energy Star and CRRC listings qualify for the federal residential energy credit on qualifying improvements. Your CPA calculates the credit against current IRS limits — we provide the manufacturer documentation needed for the filing.

White TPO and white PVC membranes are the standard cool-roof solution on commercial flat roofs. Both meet Energy Star reflectivity criteria (initial SR ≥ 0.65, aged SR ≥ 0.50) and qualify for federal Section 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction.

GAF EverGuard TPO and Carlisle Sure-Weld TPO white membranes are the most-installed cool flat roofs on NJ commercial buildings. Sika Sarnafil G410 white PVC for grease-exhaust and chemical-exposure applications.

White-coated EPDM is an option for existing EPDM systems — a reflective coating applied over sound EPDM brings it up to cool-roof reflectivity standards without full membrane replacement. Right when the existing EPDM has 10+ years of remaining life and the building owner wants cool-roof energy savings without the full replacement cost.

Section 179D deduction. The federal commercial energy-efficiency deduction applies to qualifying envelope improvements including cool roofs. White TPO and white PVC meeting Energy Star SR thresholds qualify. We provide the documentation required for the deduction; your CPA calculates the per-square-foot benefit against current IRS limits.

Some NJ commercial energy codes (particularly in urban heat-island zones) require cool-roof systems on flat-roof replacements. Newark, Jersey City, and similar dense urban municipalities have stricter requirements than the state-level 2021 IECC.

Standing-seam metal in reflective colors qualifies as cool roofing. Galvalume (silver finish) typically meets Energy Star steep-slope criteria; many specialty Kynar 500 finish colors are Energy Star qualified — manufacturers publish color-by-color SR and emittance values.

Englert, Drexel, McElroy, and ATAS all offer Energy Star qualified standing-seam panel colors. Best on modern architecture, shore homes, and contemporary residential where standing-seam appearance is preferred over shingle.

Concrete and clay tile roofs in lighter colors meet Energy Star criteria — relevant for the small subset of NJ homes using tile (Mediterranean and Spanish Colonial revival styles, primarily in Saddle River, Alpine, and along the shore).

Cool roof coatings on existing roofs — silicone, acrylic, and elastomeric coatings applied over sound existing roofs to bring them up to cool-roof reflectivity standards. 10-20 year warranty on the coating itself. Right when the underlying roof has remaining service life.

Cooling-dominated buildings: south and west exposures, poorly insulated attics, dark previous roof colors, hot urban locations. Energy savings are highest here — 15-30% summer cooling cost reduction.

Commercial flat roofs broadly. White TPO has become the default new install on commercial flat roofing in NJ — about 70% of replacements we do. The Section 179D deduction plus the energy savings makes cool roof the obvious choice on most commercial buildings.

Newark, Jersey City, and similar urban heat-island zones. Local energy codes increasingly require or strongly favor cool roofing on flat-roof commercial replacements.

Shore-area homes with heavy AC use. The combination of intense summer sun and high AC load makes cool roofing recover its premium quickly.

Less obvious case: heating-dominated buildings in northwest NJ (Sussex, Warren, parts of Morris/Hunterdon). The summer cooling savings get partially offset by lost winter solar gain. We do the energy math before recommending cool roofing in heating-dominated zones — sometimes the right call, sometimes not.